The Lucena Position
Rook and pawn vs rook, pawn one step from queening. The single most important rook-endgame technique — learn every situation where the winning method changes.
Build the classic Lucena bridge, shielding your king from rear checks so the pawn can promote.
When checks come across the rank, reposition your rook to shield your king and keep the winning plan alive.
Adapt the bridge when the rook checks from the opposite flank, where your king needs a different escape route.
When the rook checks beside its own king near the board edge, create space before starting the bridge.
With only a two-file cutoff, there is no room to build the bridge and the defending king reaches the corner.
Push the defending king one file farther away, creating just enough room to build the bridge and promote.
Dodge the defender’s checks and walk your king into position before beginning the Lucena bridge.
At the critical moment, find the only rook check that preserves the win instead of letting it slip away.
Face every course position without guidance. Reveal a hint only when you need one.